It’s the Little Things

Mike & I watched the finale of America’s Got Talent (AGT) tonight. I don’t usually watch reality shows, but I had seen a few clips from this season and was really impressed with a couple of the contestants. Both were under 13. Both were amazing. When I found out my little singer/ventriloquist was in the finale, I had to watch – and I discovered the teeny tiny little girl with the huge voice (she’s about four feet tall and 10 years old) was also in the finale. These were the only two acts I had seen (thanks, Facebook!), but the other eight were impressive as well.

So many of the contestants had overcome overwhelming odds and made it to the top 10. In the end, the two littlest humans were the top two. And that made me think about the little things that bring me joy.

Of course, there’s my three year-old granddaughter. Amelia makes me smile every time I think about her or see a video or hear her voice. Wesley sent me videos of her dancing in a toy store tonight. She was so uninhibited and was having so much fun. (She’s going to be on AGT one day, I just know it.) She has amazing dance moves, but she can also sing – on pitch! And, of course, she’s brilliant. And kind. And imaginative. (Ok, I’m a grandma. I’m biased.)

There are other “little things” that we overlook, because everyone wants that one big break that will make them happy – winning the lottery, winning a talent show, getting that 10 minutes of fame. But there are every day things that are so much more rewarding in the long run.

A dear friend baked a cake for my mother-in-law’s 82nd birthday. LeAnn will never see the smiles on all the residents’ faces when they saw the beautiful cake she had baked or hear the “yummy” noises as they ate her delicious confection or know how much it meant to Shirley. But it was a “little thing” that made such a huge difference in so many lives, including the employee from Puerto Rico who hadn’t heard from his family yet after hurricane Maria devestated the island.

Two of the members in the choir I’m a member of take piano lessons. They’re older adults who are doing this to enrich their lives. When I found out, I asked them to let me know when their recital would be – and they did! When you’re a beginning student and you invite a more advanced musician to your recital, that takes courage. I was so honored to be invited, and I was thrilled that I was able to attend. And they were amazing! It was another “little thing” that brought me joy.

Watching the pride of a new paper crafter when he/she makes a beautiful project, or seeing one of my downline have a starring moment is priceless. One of my team members, Carol, designed a gorgeous card and posted it in a Facebook group. She got tons of likes and comments, and I felt like a proud mama.

Today, one of my aunts had surgery to remove some cancerous tissue in her body. Her mom (my grandmother) died from breast cancer, so hearing the preliminary news that she’s doing very well and the lymph nodes are clear is more than a little thing. It’s huge happy news.

There are so many more “little things” in life that eclipse the bad news we hear on TV every day. I have decided to focus on these little things instead of letting the big things cause me stress. There really is more good than bad in the world today; you just have to look.

So here’s a little thing for you. It’s another eclipse card that, I hope, will “eclipse” any bad things that you may have heard today.

I wanted to use “SHINE” for the eclipse letters, but they wouldn’t fit. HOPE would fit, but we used that on the last eclipse card. So, since I LOVE the beach, that’s what I used. I stamped the lighthouse in Real Red and Smoky Slate, and the water with Bermuda Bay and Pacific Point. I sponged some Sahara Sand around the beach (also in Sahara Sand), and added a little Soft Sky to the top of the card around the lighthouse and Crushed Curry light.

I hope you have something to love today – whether it’s big or little. But I do encourage you to look for little things that are spectacular – a beautiful sunset, a smile from a stranger, a child who can dance without any inhibition.

Buffy, you have made my day. What a happy, positive blog – setting the tone for the hours and minutes ahead. The card is a keeper – also inspiring. Seeing it reminded me of an old hymn I used to sing – “Let the Lower lights Be Burning”. (Bet I’ll be humming that all day and picturing that light shining out over the Bermuda Bay and Pacific Point-colored water!!!)

Buffy, wonderful message about the little things. I try really hard to notice and give thanks for the little things each day, but your reminder was right on. Lovely card by the way. I don’t have the Large Letters Framelits, so appreciate those who brighten my day with their beautiful use of those dies.

Buffy Cooper, Independent Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator

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